FOR THOUGHT AND DISCUSSION

Dear Youth and Friends of Youth, There are many values in a burning candle. First, it needs the help of a friend to start it on its mission to serve others. Once lit, its flame burns upward and outward. Its flickering flame makes dancing shadows that mesmerize its viewers into a mood for silent reading, story telling, or imaginary dreaming. One candle offers little light and heat, but one candle can light another candle. The power, sight and feeling of many burning candles is awesome.

How many values for living can you find in the poem and the above paragraph? Where is your candle? Who is going to light it? What could your one candle do? What can many candles do? Probe your inner voice. Listen and heed, change an ideal into a deed, and light up the world! Finally, a candle gives its life for others. When your candle finally says "good night," will its light have made a difference in another's "sight."

Love, Francis (Stein)